Seeburg SCD-1A: Battery Changing Screw-up

I've had MY SCD-1A since new in early 1988. I now have two issues:
#1: All was working well except that some discs stutter, skip and reject. All discs play on other devices and are clean. This may occur primarily when playing and entire disc. I had this issue about 10 years ago and had a local technician remedy this. He is no longer around. Any thoughts?
#2: I just replaced the 3 C-cell batteries in my SCD-1A units' power assembly, BUT neglected to turn the power ON. Then I read the manual imploring me to be sure to power-up BEFORE changing batteries. The manual did not define any consequences of not powering up. Ya, I know, dumb. After changing batteries and trying to play a CD, the disc loads, spins, but no sound. Can anyone tell me how to get out of this mess?
Thanks,
MrPigside23 - Waunakee, WI

I have never worked on this unit, but, in general, most systems that tell you to change batts with power ON, work the same--
In order to"un-do" what you done did, remove at least one battery with the power OFF. Leave the phono sit for a couple of hours.
After that power it back up, and see if you have achieved a "clean boot". If everything looks OK, add batteries now--if not re-boot it--you may need to do this several times-- Ron Rich

Ron:
I'm not that tech savvy, so you could you please define "Clean Boot" and how to "Re-boot"?
Thanks,
MrPigside23 - Dave Briggs
Waunakee, WI, USA

Ron's remedy for "Battery Changing w/o powering-up", has solved my lack of sound issue. The Juke systems have re-booted correctly. Thanks. Still looking for a solution to "stuttering and skipping discs". Suggestions appreciated.

Hi Dave,
Glad the battery issue is resolved--
I have had zero experience with the SONY player, but I assume, it is similar to the Phillips in this respect--when the lens gets "dirty", they tend to skip. Hopefully there are "cleaning instructions" for that somewhere in one of the manuals ( I would assume the SONY manual for the changer ?). Maybe someone reading this knows how it should be done--as doing it "wrong", may cause irrevocable damage ( I know it does on the Phillips brand units !) Ron Rich

Dave: I agree with Ron, that the lens probably needs cleaning. I used a dry cloth on mine and it cleared up the skipping right away. you have owned it from new so there is hopefully no smoke build up on it. Otherwise use only water dampened cloth. it is easiest to get to if you remove the CD rack out of the player. That is also a good time to replace any of the 5 cabinet lights that have burned out. I replaced mine with LED's to brighten it up in there and make it run much cooler. Mark

In addition to Mark's suggestion, here is the service manual for what I think is the player module in there: http://www.fileconvoy.com/dfl.php?id=g9 ... 09167353a6

If cleaning doesn't work, it may be possible to tweak the gain and laser current to improve tracking.

I had always liked these machines and considered buying one about 11 years ago. After finding that most of the critical parts had been bought up by a few service houses who could now charge what they wanted, I dropped the idea.

The player was never designed for heavy commercial use and parts stocks were depleted a bit sooner than typical for commercial mechanisms.

Since the rest of your electronics are working well, you might consider converting to one of these players:
http://www.cdadapter.com/scd-mp3.htm
At 320k there really isn't any audible difference between a high quality MP3 and the linear-PCM from a CD.
I suggest going for the Flash module option since IDE laptop disks are essentially obsolete.

Rob-NYC

Rob-NYC wrote:If cleaning doesn't work, it may be possible to tweak the gain and laser current to improve tracking.
Rob-NYC

Lasers, like any solid state emitters, (such as LED's) can get weak over time, yes.
In response to Rob's comment - unless you're technically experienced with CD laser technology, and have the test equipment needed for displaying data, you're risking burning out the laser itself.

"Tweaking" such things isn't recommended by me.

Matt, "tweaking" should not be confused with 'tinkering".

While the adjustments specified for this in the manual are usually intended for opt-block replacement, if a deteriorating laser can no longer focus-up as the disk wobble increases toward the outer tracks, a slight adjustment guided by a scope might buy a few more years...Might.

Either way, if cleaning doesn't help, the owner can't play most of the disk and I doubt a replacement is available now.

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To Dave, one clue to a trending bad laser is the amount of time it takes for the first track to start once the CD is mounted. Sony specifies approx 2 seconds from a stop to play if the disk is already mounted.

Rob/NYC

Rob-NYC wrote:Matt, "tweaking" should not be confused with 'tinkering".

While the adjustments specified for this in the manual are usually intended for opt-block replacement, if a deteriorating laser can no longer focus-up as the disk wobble increases toward the outer tracks, a slight adjustment guided by a scope might buy a few more years...Might.

Either way, if cleaning doesn't help, the owner can't play most of the disk and I doubt a replacement is available now.

To Dave, one clue to a trending bad laser is the amount of time it takes for the first track to start once the CD is mounted. Sony specifies approx 2 seconds from a stop to play if the disk is already mounted.

Rob/NYC

Imagine that!
A Compact Disk mechanism, a format only born about Thirty Years ago - and no longer available?
BUT..... the lowly ole 45 RPM stuff can STILL be serviced 60+ years later.... and still going strong.